A Reiki Practitioner Shares 3 Ways to Harness the Energy of Fall

If you’re from the Northeast like I am, Autumn conjures images of apple picking, jackets, piles of red and yellow leaves, and of course hot cider. 

But no matter where you call home whether that’s California or Florida, this fall season is a time of harvesting, getting back to school or work, and gearing up for winter. And with all these wonderful things in abundance comes an abundance of stress and pressure too. Woof! 

So if you’re wondering how to enjoy the season’s offerings without being weighed down by obligation, I’ve got you and it starts with something simple: refocus, breathe, and come home to yourself.

As a Reiki Practitioner, I view the human condition through three bodies; the physical, mental, and emotional. All three affect each other. All three are interconnected. 

Have you ever been sad and experienced a stomach ache? Feel worried and get a migraine? Did you suffer an injury and feel depressed? Or feel happy and five years younger? One body– whether it’s the physical, the mental or the emotional– always affects the others. There is a continuous dance around balance. 

So one of the first steps to feeling grounded and finding that balance is to tend to your physical body first. 

If you think about it, that’s something you’re constantly and automatically doing already. You wake up, go to the bathroom, drink water (drinking a glass of water with lemon first thing in the morning is one of the easiest and best things you can do for yourself!), make breakfast. 

But how can you bring more intention to that tending? How can you be more present and conscious of your body’s experience? MOVE! And MOVE CONSCIOUSLY! 

Here’s what that looks like in action: 

• Put on your favorite song and dance at your desk. Have a jumping jacks contest with your kids. 
• Take a class and connect with others.
• Or just get off the subway a stop earlier and walk the rest of the way (this works with parking your car in the back of the parking lot too). 

Whatever you decide to do, do it consciously, which simply means being aware of your physical body while you’re moving. Take note of how it feels moving through space. Notice the happy hormones filling up your brain and your muscles thanking you for using them. 

Remember: Energy creates more energy!

Now let’s address the two more difficult bodies, the mental and emotional. 

I like to look at this time of year as an opportunity to reconnect to our Authentic Selves and if necessary, hit the reset button. It’s a time to set new intentions as we move out of the carefree summer months and into the busier days of the season. Take time to examine what habits or relationships don’t serve your Authentic Self anymore.

You may be asking, WHO or WHAT is my Authentic Self? 

Well, it’s all the things that make you, YOU. Many of these things are what you may be insecure about or have been made fun of in your life. I’m here to tell you THOSE are your superpowers. 

Throughout my life people have felt the need to negatively comment on my voice, my muscular build, my energy and excitement for life, and even for being a vegan. It really sucks! But whenever I try to hide or change those things, life only becomes more of a struggle. People only put you down when they are jealous of or don’t understand what you are expressing. 

Point is, own your Authentic Self. 

Lean in to what makes you laugh, cry, question, doubt, and feel fit. Name them and love them. (Social) Media has brainwashed us to think we need to fit in a box. But that only helps corporations sell more products, not bring us joy. And what’s the point of life if not to live joyfully?! 

Here are some questions to ask yourself so that you can connect to that authenticity:

• Am I happy? What does happiness mean to me?
• Do I need more time in nature?
• Does my job satisfy me?
• Are my dreams still in line with where I’m at now or am I holding on to old ones?
• What do I want out of life?
• Am I being compassionate with myself and others?

Set an intention for the season. 

Not a goal or resolution, but an intention. 

Here are some examples: “I am enough”, “Lead with Love”, “Remember to Breathe”, “Choose kindness”, “It all works out”, “Miracles are everywhere”. Once you’ve chosen your intention, start to implement it with two easy breaths. Yep! Two! That’s it. 

1. Right when that alarm goes off in the morning, take a deep breath and be grateful to be alive. Place one hand on your heart and the other on your navel, take in another deep breath and think or say out loud your intention. Smile.
   
2. Repeat during your Witching Hour! For me that’s around 5:00pm. I have survived school pick-up when my kid is insane from whatever after school activity he did, and I’m trying to pull a dinner idea out of my ass. It also tends to be the time when my phone blows up and everyone wants my attention. This is the crucial moment when I need to take those two breaths and remind myself of my intention. If you’re feeling really depleted, you can let those 2 breaths turn into a 5-20 minute meditation.

Autumn can become your new New Year! Find your center by defining your Authentic Self, breathing into your intention for the season, and moving consciously. It’s amazing what a little slowing down can do for your spirit.